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Fujifilm X-Pro 1 hands on review

We stepped behind the screen of Fujifilm’s first mirrorless camera for a snappy CES test

12 January 2012/0:07GMT

When we first heard about Fujifilm’s X-Pro 1 – its new and only mirrorless camera – we thought, this could be good. When we actually saw the thing, jaws needed to be picked up. And that black, rippled, grip-friendly body made fighting to get a look at it in CES a real challenge. But it was worth it to hold the surprisingly light (for it’s size) 16MP snapper.

In an age of touchscreen the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 is making up for a lack of buttons elsewhere by cramming loads in here. Initially it is a little baffling but after a play it’s clear to see why Fujifilm did it – speed. From changing aperture to adjusting shutter speed, loads of options are instantly accessible without trawling through the UI jungle like most cameras make you do. But you need that speed as shooting is slow.

Alright it wasn’t slow, just slower than the Nikon J1 for example. Although shooting photos on auto in the crazed lights of CES is a challenge for even the Sony NEX-5N we used to snap it – so lag can be forgiven. Especially with that brilliantly engineered body, which sits in your hand with perfect weighting – using this lens anyway.

The hybrid multi-view finder is crisp and clear with so much information overlaid you may start feeling like a cyborg. So smart is the viewfinder, that is even knows the lens you are using and adapts to it. We didn’t test that but did enjoy being able to switch viewing modes at the flick of yet another handy, dedicated button.

You can get three XF lenses (18mm, 35mm and 60mm) now, with nine due out over the next three years. Plenty of time to save then, after spending what we expect to be at least £500 for the camera itself – though no official pricing has been announced – even though it’s out in February. Check back soon for our full review.